Return to instructor events
BSAC WELCOMED THE RETURN TO INperson training following the latest lockdown , with an Open Water Instructor Course ( OWIC ) – held at Stoney Cove — the first Instructor event of 2021 .
The event , held on 14 April , marked a return to physical training , as Covid-19 restrictions continue to ease and the Instructor Training Scheme was able to start rescheduling courses that had been postponed due to the pandemic .
Five candidates successfully completed their OWIC under the watchful eye of the instructor team , Andy Jarvis , Cliff Pearn , Mike Baker and Dave Pegler and local event organiser , Marg Baldwin .
BSAC training events for 2021 – both in-person and online – can be viewed and booked at
bsac . com / events
Well done to Annie Naish ( Divetech ), Peter Green ( Corby & District SAC ), Andrew Hall ( Redditch SAC ), Joseph Morrin ( Mansfield SAC ), and Greg Wood ( Reading SAC ) for successfully completing their OWIC .
Easing of lockdown restrictions
Latest update from
AS THE COUNTRY ’ S ‘ ROADMAP TO RECOVERY ’ PROGRESSES ,
BSAC
BSAC is continuing to monitor and update on the easing of restrictions as announced by each respective government within the UK .
All are increasingly opening up to larger groups outdoors and limitations on travel are also starting to ease , both within England , Scotland and Wales as well as across borders . Indoor swimming pools are able to open , initially for individuals , but will steadily become available to organised training .
As the easing of restrictions continue , BSAC instructor and other training courses are being run where conditions , including travel and accommodation , and other resources allow . Please consult the online Events pages for scheduled events and to book -
bsac . com / events
In order to encourage wider and more consistent safety messaging around water safety and in support of the NWSF ‘ Drowning Prevention Strategy ’, BSAC is also working with other sporting bodies , together with the RNLI , MCA , RoSPA and the NWSF , to promote shared safety messaging under the # respectthewater banner . https :// rnli . org / safety / respect-the-water
Dive with
SCUBAHUB
Sophie
Diver Training Group Lead Sophie Rennie presents an update on BSAC ’ s roster of snorkelling courses
WHAT A GREAT WAY TO GENTLY GET back in the water . With the ( time of writing ) excellent visibility and the sightings of plenty of big animals , what ’ s not to like about slipping on a pair of fins , mask and snorkel and going out to see what you can spot . BSAC snorkelling is undergoing a bit of a revamp , but we ’ re nearly there and will soon be able to offer the following courses for all .
We start with the Dolphin Snorkeller – this is an entry level , pool-based course designed for youngsters . Each module is based around learning about a specific dolphin and at the end of the final module students will be able to safely snorkel using different types of fin kicks , go under the water and clear the water out . There is no theory other than safety briefs and signals .
The next course involves completing the snorkel theory and some additional skills to attain the qualification of Snorkel Diver . Once a person has this qualification , they can move across to the Snorkel Instructor Course . This is a great ticket to have , as it allows you to teach both of the above courses .
Moving up the snorkel ladder we arrive at Rescue Snorkeller – which is essentially Lifesaver , Advanced Lifesaver and the AED Awareness course . Then we have Advanced Snorkeller and Snorkel Dive Manager . These courses go into greater detail and look at all aquatic environments ( including the open ocean ) and how to stay safe there .
Once you ’ ve got all these under your belt , the next step is the Advanced Snorkel Instructor Course . This is all about developing your stable of Snorkel Instructors and teaching more advanced skills . The final course is the Instructor
Trainer Course Snorkel . If you are already a Scuba Instructor Trainer , you will do a short crossover course . The first one is being piloted in May , with some budding Instructor Trainers . So , by the time you read this we should be up and running !
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